Most bee stings and insect bites cause only mild reactions and are a normal part of spending time outdoors. Some people, however, experience allergic reactions ranging from mild to severe.
FastMed treats a wide range of mild to moderate reactions to insect bites and stings, as well as mild to moderate allergic reactions. We’re open 365 days and most of our clinics are open 7 days a week including holidays. For severe reactions, call 911 immediately and take these actions while waiting for help to arrive.
What Are the symptoms of bee & insect stings?
Most bee and insect stings cause only mild to moderate symptoms, such as pain, redness, swelling, and itching. These usually subside within a few days.
Mild to moderate allergic reactions can be treated at your nearest FastMed, with no appointment necessary. Just head directly to a nearby location, any day of the week, including holidays. You can check in online first, if preferred.
If the person stung shows signs of a severe reaction, call 911.
What to do for a bee sting or insect bite
Although painful, most bee, hornet, and wasp stings aren’t serious. Any pain and itching should subside within a few days. See how to treat a bee or wasp sting.
For those with a bee sting allergy, however, bee and wasp stings can be serious or even life-threatening. Make sure you pay attention to signs of a severe allergic reaction.
What to do for a bee sting or wasp bite allergic reaction
Some people have severe allergic reactions to insect bites and stings. A severe allergic reaction to a bee, wasp, or hornet sting—known as anaphylaxis—is a life-threatening emergency.
Call 911 for help if you notice any of the following symptoms, or if the victim is a child with a scorpion sting:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the tongue, lips, eyelids, or throat
- Hives
- Rapid pulse
- Nausea, vomiting, cramps, or diarrhea
- Dizziness, fainting, confusion, or loss of consciousness
If none of these symptoms is present, you can treat and cure a mild sting at home, or seek medical help from your nearest FastMed.
How to treat a bee or wasp sting?
Most stings cause only mild discomfort and symptoms should subside within a day or two. For bee or wasp sting relief, and to lessen the severity of the reaction, take the following steps:
- Move the victim to avoid more stings
- Lower the affected area below heart level immediately to reduce the spread of venom
- Remove the stinger if it is still present (you can use a credit card to scrape it out)
- Keep the victim as calm & quiet as possible
- Wash the affected area with soap & water
Visit FastMed for a tetanus booster if it’s been longer than 10 years since the last one. Also, if there’s a mild to moderate allergic reaction to a bee sting or bug bite, have it examined by the FastMed professionals.
You can head to the nearest FastMed location any day of the week, including holidays. No appointment is necessary and on-site lab testing is available. Our expert care helps treat the symptoms of bee stings, and our short wait times will quickly get you back to your normal routine.
For wasp and bee sting treatment, your FastMed practitioner may prescribe the following:
- Applying cool compresses to decrease swelling
- Elevating the area to reduce pain & swelling
- Treating pain with hydrocortisone or an over-the-counter pain medication* such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
If you’ve previously been stung by a fire ant, you may have a more severe reaction to bee and wasp stings, as they contain the same type of venom.
*Follow the medical directions for each of these medications, and pay particular attention to the directions for children under two years of age.
What to put on a bee or wasp sting
Most bee, wasp, and hornet stings cause only a mild reaction. For these, use hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to help relieve itching, swelling, and redness. Oral antihistamines like Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton can also be used if itching and swelling are more severe.
Cover the area with a bandage to prevent scratching the sting. If the skin breaks while scratching, this can potentially lead to infection. If the site still becomes infected, visit your nearest FastMed as soon as possible for treatment.
What to do for bee sting & wasp bite swelling
Cool compresses should help you avoid swelling. Any swelling that remains can be alleviated by elevating the area and using hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion. Oral antihistamines like Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton can be taken if itching and swelling become more severe.
* The content presented on this page is not intended to diagnose health problems or take the place of professional medical care.
